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Biochar for Gardening: How to Use Biochar in Soil

  • Aug 4, 2025
  • 3 min read

Biochar and Compost blend, aka SuperCHAR
SuperCHAR, a biochar and compost blend.

If you’re looking to take your soil to the next level—whether you're planting a pollinator garden, reviving a worn-out lawn, or installing large-scale landscape beds—biochar and SuperCHAR can give your soil a powerful, lasting boost.


Let’s break down what they are, how they work, and which one is right for your project.


Biochar is a charcoal-like material we make by heating recycled wood waste in a low-oxygen environment—a process called pyrolysis. This creates a stable, carbon-rich product that looks like small black chips or flakes.


Biochar pyrolyzed wood waste
Biochar made from recycled wood waste.

While it’s not a fertilizer, biochar is a natural soil conditioner that:

  • Improves moisture retention

  • Reduces nutrient leaching

  • Enhances microbial life in the soil

  • Helps balance pH in overly acidic soils

  • Supports long-term soil structure

It’s particularly valuable in remediating compacted or chemically damaged soil, making it a great choice for areas that have suffered from over-fertilization or heavy traffic.


The Impact of Biochar

In addition to helping plants thrive, biochar also helps the planet. By converting organic material into a stable form of carbon, biochar keeps carbon out of the atmosphere—each pound of biochar keeps approximately 2 pounds of CO₂ from being released.

That means every bed, lawn, or landscape project that uses biochar is also part of a long-term carbon solution.


The Challenge with Raw Biochar

Here’s the catch: while biochar is an excellent soil conditioner, using it raw isn’t ideal. Biochar is more effective when mixed with compost.


Biochar and Compost Blend

SuperCHAR is our premium, ready-to-use blend made from recycled wood waste that’s been pyrolyzed into biochar—then mixed with nutrient-rich yard waste compost.

We let the compost and biochar work together, naturally charging the biochar with nutrients and microbes, so it’s ready to benefit your soil immediately.


Recycled Wood Pallets and Biochar before and after
Before and After Wood Waste Turned into Biochar at St. Louis Composting

SuperCHAR Makes It Simple

  • Combines the long-term benefits of biochar with the mid-term boost of compost

  • Delivers nutrients and microbial life right away

  • Ideal for landscaping projects, gardens, turf, tree plantings, and more


Biochar vs. SuperCHAR: A Quick Comparison

Feature

Biochar

SuperCHAR (Ready-to-Use)

Nutrient Content

None initially

Rich in compost nutrients

Microbial Activity

Needs time to develop

Loaded with beneficial microbes

Best Use Cases

Soil blending, compost mixing

Beds, turf, landscapes, containers

Ease of Use

More labor-intensive

Simple, fast, and effective

How Gardeners and Landscapers Use SuperCHAR

Whether you're growing tomatoes or installing a large landscape, SuperCHAR is flexible and easy to apply:

  • Raised beds & veggie gardens: Mix into the top 6–12 inches of soil.

  • Lawns: Spread before aeration or seeding for better root development and moisture retention.

  • Landscape beds & tree installations: Blend into the backfill or topdress around drip lines.

  • Potted plants & containers: Improves drainage, nutrient retention, and reduces watering frequency.

  • Soil restoration: Use in compacted, tired, or nutrient-depleted soil to kickstart regeneration.


SuperCHAR, a biochar compost blend
SuperCHAR

Why Choose SuperCHAR?

We made SuperCHAR because we believe biochar should be easy to use and highly effective for home gardeners, professional landscapers, and soil health enthusiasts alike.

It’s our way of helping you build healthier soil, stronger plants, and a greener planet—without the guesswork.


Want to try SuperCHAR for your next project? Order online at store.stlcompost.com/product/compost/superchar-compost/.


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